Search is still on for body of UNH student 'Lizzi' Marriott

PORTSMOUTH — Now in its fifth day, the search for the body of a murdered University of New Hampshire student continues near Peirce Island.

With the best weather conditions yet in the search for the student's body, officials say they have yet to turn up positive results.

Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott of Westborough, Mass., disappeared Oct. 9 after attending a class at the Durham campus. A 29-year-old Dover man, Seth Mazzaglia (mah-ZAY-lia), has been charged with second-degree murder and is accused of strangling or suffocating Marriott in his apartment the night she disappeared.

On Wednesday, Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Jane Young told Foster's there had been no new developments in the case, as Marine Patrol continued to comb and re-comb waters in the area of Peirce Island in Portsmout. She said the Dover Police Department continues to gather evidence in its homicide investigation of Mazzaglia.

Young noted earlier this week, police are working to determine if more charges will be brought against Mazzaglia or additional persons in the case.

Choppy conditions reportedly made the area search difficult on Tuesday, with white caps showing on the waves of the Piscataqua River. On Wednesday, with much clearer weather, Young said the Marine Patrol had been working jointly with the U.S. Coast Guard since 6 a.m. to examine areas previously checked, with sonar equipment and underwater cameras.

“You have an environment down there that's ever changing,” she said, noting images were coming in crisper than ever in the day's search.

The state attorney general's office announced earlier in the week it had also reached out to Massachusetts and Maine authorities, to check their coastlines for any evidence that may come ashore.

In Portsmouth, Young said officials are also using a New Hampshire State Police helicopter, to obtain “more beneficial” visuals of the general area. The aerial search extends from Ordione Point State Park in Rye, to Newcastle and the general area of Peirce Island.

Additionally, cadaver dogs were not used in the search on Wednesday and Young said there is no end date or time frame for the search at this point. She said officials were “going to continue for a period of time” on Wednesday, most likely through the afternoon.

The water search is led by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Marine Patrol. N.H. Fish and Game officials are also in consultation with investigating parties, many of whom are familiar with diving into the local waters.

“It's an ongoing dialogue with all of the partners at the table,” Young said. “…You know, you want to make sure that you're using everything that you can, everything that has some viability to it.”

In a previous interview with Foster's, Young described the case as containing almost two investigations, with the water search ongoing and evidence gathering on the criminal side of the case against Mazzaglia. Young noted the FBI continues to investigate, along with Dover and state police.

Among officials, there is a strong sense of mission to find Marriott's remains, as there would be in any other case, Young said.

“The law enforcement community is very cognizant of the fact that there is a family out there that is grieving, who has anguish in their hearts,” she said. “(Officials) are doing everything they can to bring their child and sibling home.”

Young declined to comment on information obtained by Foster's that Marriott's death was tied to a sexual encounter.

“The police continue to pursue their investigation and follow up on all leads,” she said. “If anyone has any information about Mr. Mazzaglia or Ms. Marriott, please call the police.”

Anyone with information pertaining to Marriott's death is urged to contact Dover police at 603-742-4646 or the New Hampshire State Police at 603-271-3636.

A gathering to remember Marriott is planned for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in front of Thompson Hall at the UNH campus in Durham. The university planned to hold a forum on its master plan at that time, but the event will instead start at 1:15 p.m., in the Huddleston Hall ballroom.